This humble Daoist has been waiting for you

The crow flew and the hare raced.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Dao-Treasuring Peak, Scripture Pavilion.

The white-haired old Daoist rose and walked to the bookshelf.

He had just returned the scripture he had finished and drawn out a new book when his ears twitched, catching familiar footsteps.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and an upright figure came into view. His face was square and dignified even without anger. It was none other than Xuanxu, the abbey master.

Xuanming was surprised.

This man was both busy with duties and considerate of others.

Unlike the other Daoists, he never visited the temple without a reason and rarely disturbed Xuanming's peace.

After exchanging formal Daoist greetings, the two sat across from each other at the table. Water boiled in the kettle on the stove, sending up clouds of white mist.

Xuanming reached out to lift the kettle and brew tea.

Unexpectedly, Xuanxu beat him to it.

He picked up the kettle and eagerly began preparing the tea.

Warming the cups, weighing the leaves, pouring the water, decanting the tea...

His movements were practiced, smooth, and natural.

His expression was earnest and focused, his bearing gentle and composed.

Xuanming was well accustomed to this scene.

The third-generation Daoists of the Truth-Seeking Abbey each had their own interests.

Xuan Kong loved food, Xuan Yang loved wine, Xuan Tong liked money, and Xuan Yin liked growing medicinal herbs.

Like Xuanming, Xuanxu loved tea.

They had shared tea before.

Every time, Xuanxu took the initiative to do the work. He had a keen eye for what needed doing and understood the ways of the world.

Once the tea was ready, Xuanxu offered the first cup to Xuanming and kept the second for himself.

Taking a light sip of the clear tea, Xuanming asked, "Junior brother, have you come about the Chen clan, or is there something else?"

The tea slipped down his throat, bitter at first and sweet afterward. Xuanxu wore a comfortable, contented expression and was not surprised by the question.

Senior Brother Xuanming had always been clever, and the Chen Residence affair was the only recent trouble facing the Truth-Seeking Abbey. Even thinking with his backside, he could guess that Xuanxu's visit might have something to do with it.

Xuanxu did not make a mystery of it and answered honestly, "Senior brother, the Chen Family's old patriarch came up the mountain in person today. The Chen clan does indeed have another objective."

His brows lifting slightly, Xuanming signaled with his eyes for him to continue. Taking the cue, Xuanxu avoided a lengthy account, picked out the key points in order of importance, and explained everything in a few sentences.

"The Chen clan wants a place at the Heaven and Earth Academy."

"They hope our Truth-Seeking Abbey will give them one."

"Although Old Patriarch Chen spoke openly, showed a candid attitude this time, and offered ample sincerity, I still refused."

"There are too many wolves and too little meat. Our Truth-Seeking Abbey doesn't even have enough to go around, so how could we give any to outsiders?"

"Besides, the Chen clan already has a place at the Heaven and Earth Tower, yet they still aren't satisfied. Their greed is rather insatiable."

Xuanming did not offer an opinion immediately, lowering his head in thought.

Xuanxu had the sense not to interrupt.

He quietly savored his tea and waited patiently.

Several breaths later, Xuanming said, "The Truth-Seeking Abbey has denied the Chen clan face twice now. I fear a rift will form between us."

"The human heart lies hidden behind the belly. We should take precautions early and prepare for the worst, lest we be caught off guard when trouble arrives."

Hearing this, Xuanxu agreed:

"You are quite right, senior brother."

"This humble Daoist has been thinking the same thing."

A trace of apology appeared on Xuanxu's face as he said:

"However, I gained some insight while studying the Yin and Yang Foundation Establishment Manual yesterday. Such opportunities are hard to come by and cannot be missed. I will likely need to enter seclusion for a while, which is why I had no choice but to disturb your peace."

"Your magic power is abundant and your strength formidable, senior brother. You are the foremost among us at the Truth-Seeking Abbey. I'm sorry for the trouble, but during this time, I must ask you to help guard the abbey and remain wary of the Chen clan."

"Until this humble Daoist emerges from seclusion, it would be best if everything remained peaceful. But if something happens, you need not show mercy."

"Anyone who attacks our Truth-Seeking Abbey may simply be cut down."

Xuanxu rose as he spoke.

Xuanming stopped him before he could bow.

"You speak too gravely, junior brother."

"There is no need for such formality between us."

"Besides, this old Daoist is also a member of the Truth-Seeking Abbey."

"Protecting our sect is only right."

"Even if you had not come, I would still lend a hand if the Truth-Seeking Abbey faced a crisis."

Hearing this, Xuanxu understood.

He had treated Xuanming like an outsider.

Seeing what seemed to be a trace of annoyance on Xuanming's face, he apologized and dispensed with further formalities.

After sitting down again, Xuanxu offered a reminder:

"Senior brother, you were born on this mountain and grew up here. You have not left it in sixty years and do not know the treachery of the world."

"People's hearts below the mountain are complicated, unlike the simplicity here."

"Lineage powers often harbor filth and corruption. However foul they are behind the scenes, on the surface they all present themselves as a clear breeze beneath a bright moon."

"Seizing a place would disgrace them. If word spread, they would only invite ridicule and damage their reputation. If the Chen clan harbors resentment and intends to use threats and inducements, seizing by force and plundering at will, they will most likely act in secret."

"To prevent the Chen clan from turning the accusation back on us after we kill someone, like a thief crying 'Thief!', we must take extra precautions."

"For the time being, I hope you will carry a Projection Stone with you, senior brother. If the Chen clan later leaps over the wall like a cornered dog and throws filthy water on the Truth-Seeking Abbey,

Setting down his cup, Xuanming stroked his beard and nodded.

"Rest assured, junior brother."

"This old Daoist will certainly leave the Chen clan no opening to exploit."

"If they give up now, so be it. If they try to seize what they want by force, this humble Daoist will ensure they come but never return."

With that assurance, Xuanxu felt completely at ease.

For the rest of his visit, the master of the Truth-Seeking Abbey sought guidance on many principles of Yin and Yang. Xuanming held nothing back and carefully answered his questions.

From a lofty perch, one's voice naturally carried far. He was not so narrow-minded as to begrudge guidance; on the contrary, he had a generous outlook.

Besides his openhearted nature, this was also because Xuanming knew:

His honor and disgrace were bound to those of the Truth-Seeking Abbey.

The more prosperous his sect became, the smoother his cultivation would be; the higher Junior Brother Xuanxu's cultivation rose, the more peace he could enjoy.

If his junior brother became a True Person, the Scripture Pavilion's collection of Daoist texts would grow richer still.

This was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Handled properly, they would surely advance side by side.

In many matters, he would not need to step into the foreground. The Daoists of the Truth-Seeking Abbey could settle them for him, such as resources and cultivation grounds.

Methods, land, companions, and wealth—the Daoists of his sect were his companions on the path of cultivation, able to travel alongside him for a time.

Once they could no longer keep pace, it would be the turn of juniors such as Chang Ning and Chang'anzi, who possessed a superior Dao foundation.

Generation after generation, they would move forward hand in hand.

An hour later, Xuanxu left.

As abbey master, he was busy and bore great responsibilities. There were many arrangements he had to make before entering seclusion.

Watching Xuanxu's departing figure and recalling his advice, Xuanming's lips curved upward.

The abbey master had a nimble mind, plenty of wits, and well-laid plans. That was a good thing. The more capable he was, the more secure the Truth-Seeking Abbey would be, and the easier Xuanming's own life would become.

There was no reason to fear an excellent abbey master; the real concern was one who lacked brains yet still meddled blindly. So far, Xuanxu seemed very competent in his role.

Draining the remaining tea in his cup, Xuanming cast aside his scattered thoughts, cleared his mind, focused his Divine spirit, and resumed reading the Daoist scripture.

The fragrance of books lingered in the quiet surroundings.

He soon settled into his rhythm and immersed himself in the text, reading its words and pondering its principles, discarding the chaff and keeping the essence to make it his own. He used the Daoist canon as fertile soil, rain, and dew to plant and nourish his own Dao seed.

That night, Xuanxu entered seclusion.

Three days later, on Dao-Treasuring Peak, Chang'anzi reshaped his Dao foundation with the Yin and Yang Method as its core and reentered the second realm.

Five days later, Xuan Su gained insight from studying the Yin and Yang Foundation Establishment Manual and also entered seclusion.

Seven days later, Xuanming achieved minor mastery of the Five Thunder Orthodox Method.

On the eighth day, the night was dark and the wind high.

In the dead of night, when all was silent, a figure slipped onto Floating Cloud Mountain and headed straight for True Mystery Peak.

A cup of tea's time later, sword light flashed.

Looking at the dark figure who had been forced several steps back, Xuanming stretched slightly and rose from the treetop.

His white hair streamed, and his robes billowed.

He stood with his sword on his back and withdrew his sword fingers.

The aura around him erupted like a volcano that had been building pressure for ages, surging like towering waves in a raging sea.

It sealed off the surroundings and blocked the black-clad intruder's escape.

He said leisurely:

"Old Layman Chen, this humble Daoist has been waiting for you."

Thank you to 2018...8174 for the donation of 2,000 Qidian coins; thank you to 2021...9332 and - for one monthly ticket each; thank you to Ni Youyou for four monthly tickets; thank you to Jiang Nannan for six monthly tickets.